Description:
Why Mala
A mala consists of beads strung on a string. Each bead represents one. However, the bead is not alone, but is connected with all the other beads to make a whole strand. As individuals, we may think we are separate, but we’re not. We are connected to each other, to our family, to the world. We are all living beings together and cannot exist without the other. The idea of the mala is also to move one bead at a time, focusing on a breath, a prayer, or a mantra. This helps the mind and body shift to a state of positive energy, peace, and calmness.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support the mental and emotional health of children and families through high quality, evidence-based, holistic mental health services. We strive to provide individualized and effective care to clients to help them heal, grow, and thrive. We are also committed to fighting for clients through micro and macro level advocacy work, such as connecting families to resources, getting children academic accommodations, and forming community programs. Lastly, we are dedicated to training the next generation of practitioners who are passionate about working with children and families through education, training, and supervision.
Our Values
Safety and connection: we believe that healing starts with a sense of safety through connection with others, connection with ourselves, and connection to our world. We treat our team members, clients, and partners with mutual respect and sensitivity.
Authenticity over perfection: we believe in staying true to who we are and seeking validation internally rather than working on being perfect and seeking a sense of worth externally.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion: we believe that everyone, regardless of their gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origins, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socio-economic difference, appearance, language and accent, disability, mental health, education, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role and function, thinking style, and personality type should be included and feel safe, treated equally, respectfully, fairly, and compassionately, and valued for who it is they are
Evidence based practices: we believe in providing care that integrates the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.
Teamwork: we are one organization, one team. We are committed to a teamwork environment where every person is a valued member, treated with respect, encouraged to contribute, and recognize and rewarded for their efforts.
Accountability and integrity: we believe in accepting our responsibilities, meeting our commitments, and acting with honesty and integrity. We believe in being open to feedback and using it to grow to provide better care and service.
Our Story
Dr. Hasti Raveau founded Mala Child & Family Institute in 2021, two years after her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, and a speech delay. As a pediatric clinical psychologist with over a decade of work with children and families, she thought she had it all figured out. But very soon she realized how little she knew about the lives of families who have children with special needs. She also realized that the key to best support her differently wired son was a supportive, compassionate, and collaborative village. She made it her mission to provide the same thing to other children and families in need, and through collective hard work and dedication, the Mala Child & Family Institute was born.
